Module selection
What modules can I take?
As an Exchange or Direct Enrol student, you can request modules in most academic departments, except:
- Liberal Arts
- Graduate School of Education
- Degree Apprenticeship programmes
Biomedical Sciences, Drama, and Psychology modules are only available to students from subject-specific exchange partners in those disciplines.
General module requirements
- You must meet any co/pre-requisites stated in the module description
- You must choose a level appropriate to your prior knowledge of the subject area
- You cannot combine modules taught at the Penryn and Exeter-based campuses
- Credit-rated English language modules for those who want to improve their English skills, are available on Exeter-based campuses through the Insessional programme run by the University of Exeter International Study Centre
- Non credit-rated English language support courses and workshops are available at both our Exeter-based and Penryn campuses
European Exchange students
- Most students will study under a subject-specific agreement.
- At least 75% of modules must be in the subject in which we have the agreement with your university.
- The remaining 25% can be taken in other departments, subject to availability and meeting pre-requisites.
International Exchange and Direct Enrol students
- Choosing modules across multiple departments or levels may lead to timetable clashes.
- You should choose at least 50% of your modules in one subject area.
A module code gives key information about a module:
- The first three letters show the discipline (e.g.GEO is Geography, BEE is Economics)
- The fourth character shows the level (e.g. 1,2,3 is undergraduate, M is postgraduate)
- The final three characters are a unique identifier.
Examples
- SOCM107 is a posgraduate Sociology module
- PHY1004 is a first-year Physics module
Subject module codes
| Accounting | BEA |
| Ancient History | CLA |
| Anthropology | ANT |
| Arabic and Islamic Studies | ARA |
| Archaeology | ARC |
| Art History and Visual Culture | AHV |
| Biomedical Sciences | CSC |
| Biosciences | BIO |
| Business | BUS |
| Business (Penryn) | BEP |
| Cambourne School of Mines | CSM |
| Classics | CLA |
| Communications | CMM |
| Computer Science | COM |
| Criminology | SOC |
| Drama | DRA |
| Economics | BEE |
| Engineering (Streatham) | ECM, ENG |
| Engingeering (Pernryn) | ENE |
| English | EAS |
| Film Studies | EAF |
| Finance | BEF |
| Foreign Language Centre (Streatham) | FL |
| Foriegn Language Centre (Penryn) | PL |
| Geography | GEO |
| History (Streatham) | HIS, HIH |
| History (Penryn) | HIC |
| Humanities (Streatham) | HUM |
| Humanities (Penryn) | HUC |
| Law (Streatham) | LAW |
| Law (Penryn) | LAWxxxxC |
| Management | BEM |
| Maths | MTH |
| Modern Languages | ML |
| Natural Sciences | NSC |
| Philosophy | PHL |
| Physics | PHY |
| Politics (Streatham) | POL |
| Politics (Penryn) | POC |
| Renewable Energy | ENE |
| Sociology | SOC |
| Sports and Health Science (St Lukes) | ESS |
| Theology | THE |
Undergraduate modules
An undergraduate degree in the UK typically lasts three years.
- Level 1 modules introduce core concepts and develop basic academic skills.
- Level 2 modules build on this foundation with more advanced subject knowledge.
- Level 3 modules allow students to specialise and study topics of particular interest in greater depth.
Even if no pre-requisites are listed for Level 2 and Level 3 modules, you must have relevant subject knowledge.
Postgraduate modules
Master's-level (postgraduate taught) modules do not usually list pre-requisites. However, if you plan to take these modules you must have sufficient subject knowledge to study at this level.
Some modules list co/pre-requisites in the module descriptor. These usually reference specific Exeter modules you must have studied (or their equivalent).
Providing evidence
When you submit your module request, you will need to provide:
- The Exeter module code listed as the co-pre-requisite
- The module code of the equivalent module you completed at your home university
We will use the transcript submitted with your application to confirm you have the required knowledge. If this information is not provided, you will not be allocated to the requested module.
Modules with fieldwork are typically not available to Study Abroad and Exchange students at the Exeter Campuses (Streatham and St Luke's). You should check module descriptions carefully to see if this applies to any modules you wish to study.
- Most field trips are not compulsory, and alternative arrangements can usually be made to meet the learning objectives.
- In some cases, there may be optional field trip alternatives which you may need to pay for.
Fieldwork modules at the Penryn Campus may be possible. For further information, contact inbound@exeter.ac.uk.
Exchange students attending field trips and day trips (e.g. Physical Geography modules) are expected to provide their own suitable clothing, such as walking boots and waterproofs. Consult your module convenor for further details.
How many modules can I take?
Credit requirements
Single-semester students
- Must take 60 Exeter credits (30 ECTS).
- Do not choose modules that run over both teaching terms.
- In some cases, students may take 45 Exeter credits per semester (22.5 ECTS) if their home university emails approval to the Inbound Team.
Full-year students
- Must take 120 Exeter credits (60 ECTS).
- We strongly recommend 60 Exeter credits per semester for a balanced workload.
Modules
- Most of our modules are worth 15 or 30 Exeter credits.
- Students typically take 2-4 modules per semester.
Please note:
We cannot guarantee the availability of requested modules due to class capacity, faculty changes, or timetable clashes. Your study plan will be finalised within the first two weeks of your arrival.
Module allocation
Full-year and semester 1 students
- We will contact you in June, after applications close.
- You will be asked to submit eight module choices online.
Semester 2 students
- You will submit module requests with your application.
- The deadline is shortly after the application deadline.
Approval and requirements
- You are responsible for getting home university approval for your modules.
- If approval takes longer than the deadline, submit your preferences anyway. You can update your requests later.
- Check module co/pre-requisites and provide evidence of equivalent prior study.
Number of module requests
- You must submit eight module requests per semester.
- If you submit fewer, or if your choices are unavailable, you will be asked to submit additional requests.
When will I be allocated modules?
The Inbound Team will contact you about your module allocation in the weeks before you arrive. During the first two weeks of teaching you can change your modules during the Module Change period. The Inbound Team also runs drop-in sessions to help with module and timetable queries.
Timeline: Full-year and semester 1 students
|
Mid-June |
Online Study Plan form opens. Students are emailed and asked to submit eight module requests. |
|
Mid-July |
Online Study Plan form closes. |
|
August |
Module requests and co/pre-requisites are checked. You may be contacted for further details or alternative module requests. |
|
September |
Modules are allocated and students are informed. Timetables are typically released one week before Welcome Week. |
| Arrival | Module changes are possible during the first two weeks of term. Drop-in support from the Inbound Team is available. |
Timeline: Semester 2 students
|
Early September |
Online Study Plan form opens. Students are emailed and asked to submit eight module requests. |
|
Late October |
Online Study Plan form closes. |
|
November |
Module requests and co/pre-requisites are checked. You may be contacted for further details or alternative module requests. |
|
December |
Modules are allocated and students are informed.Timetables are typically released one week before Welcome Week. |
| Arrival | Module changes are possible during the first two weeks of term. Drop-in support from the Inbound Team is available. |